Aquarium at the Boardwalk Branson MO

The Aquarium at the Boardwalk is one of the latest adventures in Branson, Missouri that focuses on fun for all. Branson’s developing entertainment complex begins with some features that visitors can expect to enjoy at the Aquarium; more than 250 different animal species, an original 5D submarine adventure to the bottom of the sea, a 24-foot high Kelp Forest climbing structure for kids, stingrays, a beautiful 16-foot view of a coral reef, two mirrored art installations that give the sense of infinite ocean life, lionfish, and more than 7,200 individual sea animals! Visitors will also meet the Aquarium’s characters Aquarius, the wise and helpful Giant Pacific Octopus, and Finn, the adventurous Golden Puffer. Not only will these animals be the first they see on the Boardwalk, Aquarius is represented in numerous ways throughout the experience.

This first phase and 21-month build was designed by PGAV Destinations, a leading master planner and designer with major attractions including theme parks, aquariums, museums, zoos, heritage sites, lodging, and branded destinations. Before stepping inside the aquarium, guests are mesmerized by the exterior of the building— Aquarius, a striking 55-foot tall reflective stainless-steel sculpture of a giant Pacific octopus. The 46,000 square-foot home for saltwater species of all kinds, collectively supports an impressive 400,000 gallons of aquatic life. This grand entrance needed a remarkable outdoor paving plan that would accentuate the sculpture and lead visitors to the main park attraction. PGAV Destinations having worked with Bomanite Licensee, Musselman & Hall Contractors, LLC previously on the St. Louis Aquarium project, called upon them again for their decorative concrete expertise.

Sam Kroesen, Musselman & Hall Project Manager worked with PGAV Destinations to help develop the best system and products to showcase the architectural specifications for the walkway and entrance to the Aquarium. Reviewing samples and coloring methods to create a realistic looking boardwalk while showcasing the entrance was the goal. The Bomanite Imprint Systems stamped concrete with custom patterns to fit the winding pathway was the material of choice.

Creating a custom unique large hexagon stamp provided dimension and an artisanal element for the field around Aquarius. Leading up to and twisting around the large mirrored octopus was a custom 8’ radiused plank board pattern, creating that beach boardwalk feel. Bomanite Imprint Systems are available in over 400 differing patterns that can resemble real wood, stone or natural textures. Custom stamped concrete patterns are endless and provide the flexibility, strength and durability that other paving materials lack.

A total of 18,000 square feet of imprinted concrete custom patterns were installed using Bomanite Autumn Brown Integral Color for the boardwalk path and a 1:1 mix of Bomanite Moccasin Integral Color and Bomanite Sand Integral Color for the Hexagon paving. Initially the clients had chosen a Color Hardener sample, with the need to cut costs and stay within budget, Kroesen was instrumental in solving the dilemma by mixing onsite Integral Colors to match the color selected. A final touch of Mirrored glass was hand broadcast into the boardwalk path to provide sparkle and complement Aquarius.

This thematic installation of Bomanite Decorative Concrete offers versatility in design, long-term durability, low-maintenance, weather-resistant features and environmentally friendly attributes earning Musselman & Hall Contractors the GOLD Award for the Best Bomanite Imprint Systems Project.

Villas of Cave Creek

The Villas of Cave Creek owners chose imprinted concrete to blend with the local environment of the Sonoran Desert. With Visitors from around the world, the owners wanted to provide a top notch experience with their stylish villas that are designed to reflect the warmth of the desert, beauty and tranquility of Cave Creek.

All of the granite walkways throughout the property were replaced with the Bomacron Canyon Stone Pattern, proving to be difficult because the area was comprised of 22 villa courtyards with different elevations that required all the grades to be within ADA compliance. An Integral Color along with a flashing of Color Hardener and a tinted Liquid Release were used to provide a realistic stone look. The work was installed at the same time when the property was open to the Villas of Cave Creek guests, which added to the challenge of the project.

Per the General Manager of the villas of Cave Creek “It is very rare to find a contracted crew as organized, friendly and hard working as this team. I received many compliments on how friendly everyone was, always acknowledging our guests and asking how their day was going. I watched many of our guests stand, and in some cases follow, the guys working and asking numerous questions. Your guys always smiled while answering and were very patient with them.” The quality of the work is outstanding as you can see in the face of the ramp turndowns which were stripped faced and stamped with the Bomacron Canyon Stone pattern for continuation of the designed walkways.

Tulsa County Family Center for Juvenile Justice

Local Bomanite Licensee, Bomanite of Tulsa, Inc. installed the exterior decorative concrete walkway and front entry for the newly constructed Tulsa County Family Center for Juvenile Justice. The 150,000-square-foot Family Center has three main components. The Juvenile Court, Juvenile Bureau and the multiple agencies that support them are in a two-story building on the west side of the property. The detention facility, with its gym, classrooms and other components, are on the east side. In between sits a courtyard and recreation area that includes a basketball hoop and sports courts.

The new facility reclaims a dilapidated industrial area of downtown Tulsa. With a large footprint and multiple areas needing a comprehensive design, Selser Schaefer Architects were asked to take on the project. The Juvenile Bureau of the District Court promotes innovative social and rehabilitative services with dignity and respect for children and their families. With this mission in mind, Selser Schaefer Architects created a design that enhances the complex interaction and creates an environment of transparency and hope while incorporating creative applications of economical materials that fit within the existing warehouse context and bridging the gap to the adjacent Tulsa Arts District.

Working with Selser Schaefer Architects, Bomanite of Tulsa, Inc. prepared several samples of finishes and colors that would work with the overall design and budget of the exterior hardscape. Selser Schaefer Architects ultimately decided on the Bomanite Sandscape Texture Exposed Aggregate System with several colors of gray Bomanite Con-Color in alternating squares of Shale Gray, Cobblestone Gray and Nickel Gray for the exterior walkways and entrance to the Family Center. To enhance the design, words of metal letters (Intervention, empowerment, diversion, prevention, family, community) were embedded into the decorative concrete to bring in an industrial modern artsy element and as a reminder of the mission of the Family Center.

Bomanite Sandscape® Texture is a highly durable and cost effective architectural concrete finishing option that utilizes specialized concrete mix designs containing select sands and aggregates. Installed by Bomanite Licensed concrete craftsmen throughout the US and Canada, Bomanite Sandscape Texture is the product of choice for projects requiring a decorative and durable finish alternative to traditional concrete paving. Natural, regionally selected and qualified sands such as granite, quartz or limestone are the common aggregates of choice for installations. The natural non-skid properties and abrasion resistant aggregates make Bomanite Sandscape Texture the perfect choice for all exterior concrete applications including walkways, entrances, municipal or public works projects, hospitals, educational facilities, museums, pool decks, plazas and more.

Bomanite of Tulsa, Inc. earned the 2019 Honorable Mention Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Over 6,000 Sq. Ft Award for their craftsmanship and installation of the artistic Bomanite Decorative Concrete walkways and front entrance that met the Architect’s design intent, creating an inviting and reflective exterior space for the Family Center for Juvenile Justice.

Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum

The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum is a brand-new, LEED Certified state-of-the-art facility located on two blocks in the historic West End District of Downtown Dallas. Originally founded in 1984 by a group of Dallas area Holocaust Survivors, the museum is dedicated to teaching the history of the Holocaust and advancing human rights to combat prejudice, hatred and indifference. Their now permanent location is comprised of over 55,000 square feet built with rich history, awareness and education and three permanent exhibitions. These include the Holocaust/Shoah Wing, the Human Rights Wing, and the Pivot to America Wing. The museum also encompasses traveling exhibition space, a performing arts auditorium, community lobby, reflection space, education spaces, library archives, administration offices, and a public plaza.

Designer, Dallas-based Omniplan wanted a clean, modern and progressive feel for the flooring surface that would maximize the space and be cohesive with the overall design. The Bomanite VitraFlor Polished Concrete System was selected for its industrial modernity, sustainable design and LEED qualities. Bomanite Licensee, Texas Bomanite provided the Bomanite decorative concrete flooring completing approximately 28,000 square feet on several levels. The VitraFlor system consists of initial grinding of the original concrete slab to standards letting the natural aggregate color to shine. Zero VOC products to chemically harden such as Bomanite Stabilizer Pro, and Bomanite VitraFinish to hone and polish for final protection and stain resist finish the application. Bomanite VitraFlor allows for flexibility in design with different exposure of aggregates. The main lobby and walkways used a Class D large aggregate exposure with a level 3-1500 Grit Polish with some areas using a Polyurea Joint Filler in the color Gauntlet Gray. The Exhibit Hall polished surface was given a slightly different treatment with a Class B salt and pepper aggregate exposure and a level 3-1500 Grit Polish.

Bomanite VitraFlor provided a cost effective and low-maintenance polished concrete floor that is ideal for high traffic conditions. With over 80,000 visitors in 2018 in their previous location, the newly built facility will be able to handle even more guests as well as equipment for moving or changing of exhibits. Contributing to additional LEED accrual points for Optimized Energy Performance, Bomanite VitraFlor can reduce maintenance costs by as much as 80% over conventional flooring system such as carpet or VCT. Dramatically improving light reflectivity which reduces the amount of lighting required and therefore energy consumed was an intentional design attribute with the entrance floor to ceiling windows lending to its long-term sustainable features.

The Museum is one of just a few Holocaust-related museums or centers in the United States and the only Holocaust museum serving North Central Texas, as well as the adjacent states of Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. It has been recognized for its compelling and creative programming, internationally recognized exhibits, and world-class speakers. The new – modern, immersive and interactive technology captivates and educates visitors of all ages. To fully experience the designers plan visit https://www.omniplan.com/tangent/2020/03/behind-the-design-of-the-dallas-holocaust-and-human-rights-museum.html

Texas Bomanite earned the 2019 Best Bomanite Custom Polishing Project Honorable Mention Award for their precise application of the Bomanite VitraFlor System. Along with the floor installation, they also created the outdoor courtyard decorative sculpture base and walls showing their extreme craftsmanship in the Decorative Concrete Industry.

Tanger Outlets Fort Worth

The Tanger Outlet Center added a new location to their list of ultimate shopping experiences. The recent open-air outlet mall is located in far North Fort Worth, Texas, just south of the Texas Motor speedway. Working with the architectural firm Adam & Associates, known for their unique combination of world class experience and small town personality, they put together a plan that incorporated the time proven, durable Bomanite Decorative Concrete for the exterior of the outlet walkways.

The Fort Worth mall features 70+ hi-end stores such as top fashion designers Cole Haan, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, and Steve Madden along with snack-centered eateries like the Great American Cookie Company that brings shoppers from all over Texas. Over 181 million shoppers a year visit the 39 Tanger Outlets located throughout the U.S. and Canada. Each center has a unique theme to its shopping destination with upscale architectural features and play areas for children. Texas-inspired artwork in the courtyards such as a life-sized steel sculpture of a longhorn and a fire pit were incorporated along with port-style rooftops over many of the stores to protect shoppers from the Texas seasonal weather. Adams & Associates worked with Bomanite Decorative Concrete Craftsmen, Texas Bomanite to choose the system appropriate for the architectural design.

The Bomanite Imprint Systems with stamped, stained and colored concrete with high end finishes accentuating the store fronts and Texas-style artwork featured at many of the pedestrian intersections was the product of choice. Before the project was underway, Texas Bomanite produced 6 different mock-ups to provide a visual for the general contractor, Mycon and the architect to demonstrate exactly what each pattern and color would look like to help aide in the decision-making process.

Texas Bomanite installed over 145,000 square feet of architectural concrete that incorporates 4 different patterns (Bomacron Canyon Stone, Bomacron Medium Ashlar Slate, Bomacron Random Boardwalk, Bomacron 6” x 6” Granite Setts) and 2 textures (Bomacron Used Brick Texture, Traditional Broom Finish) with multiple colors of Integral Color, Color Hardener and Release Agents each adding different interest and ambiance to the Texas themed look. The entire project was sealed with Bomanite HydroLock for additional durability. This mega installation of Bomanite Decorative Concrete offers versatility in design, long-term durability, low-maintenance, weather-resistant features and environmentally friendly attributes for the Tanger Outlet and earned Texas Bomanite The Best Bomanite Imprint Systems Project Bronze Award for their styled fashionable walkways for shoppers seeking retail therapy.

St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station

St. Louis Union Station is an amazing collective adventure of a giant Ferris Wheel, fire and light shows, delicious dining establishments, an old time carousel, 18-hole mini golf, ropes course and the recently opened grand aquarium that features one-of-a-kind exhibits and marine environments for thousands of aquatic animals from the rivers and oceans of the world that is housed in 1.3 million gallons of water. The St. Louis Aquarium is a 120,000-sq-ft, two-story attraction built inside the footprint of a nearly 500,000-sq-ft 19th century iron umbrella train shed that is designated as a National Historic Landmark.

One of the most high-tech and hands-on built aquariums, Architect and designer PGAV Destinations train themed aquatic environment is the centerpiece of a $187 million St. Louis Union Station family entertainment complex. An immersive, virtual train ride on one of two full-size replica passenger rail cars takes guests inside the aquarium. The ride honors St. Louis Union Station’s railroad past with a multimedia experience that travels through a trip to the rivers and oceans of the world, narrated by actor and St. Louis native John Goodman. When the train doors open, visitors find themselves at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers where they can see the fish that inhabit America’s great rivers, such as alligator gar, paddlefish, sturgeon, catfish, and many more. Additional exhibits include playful North American River Otters, Shark Canyon and The Deep exhibit that is home to animals that include exotic and endangered Leafy Sea Dragons, jellyfish, a Giant Pacific Octopus and a coral reef. Throughout, hands-on opportunities allow guests interactive play while bringing together state-of-the-art technology, animal care, education, and conservation with the excitement of aquatic creatures.

PGAV Destinations, known for their design work on 50 fantastical aquariums around the world, had been searching for the right finish for the “River Pavement” they desired on the exterior plaza feature of the St. Louis Aquarium that represented the confluence. After discovering their original design of epoxy terrazzo was not recommended for exterior use, the search ended when the designer was attending a lunch and learn presented by Bomanite Licensee, Musselman & Hall Contractors, LLC. Nate Harris, Business Development Manager for Musselman & Hall, shared pictures and samples of the Bomanite Revealed decorative concrete system and, as simple as that, the decision was made. That very afternoon PGAV notified McCarthy Building Companies (GC) to contact Musselman & Hall about installing the River Pavement design. Bomanite Revealed is an architectural exposed concrete with varying exposure depths using decorative aggregates that use advanced application procedures to produce a finished product that showcases the seeded aggregate. Musselman & Hall Contractors worked with PGAV to iron out the details of color and aggregates, samples were made for the final decorative concrete selection and installation of the 372 square foot feature proceeded.

To begin the installation Musselman & Hall first had to set the forms to the designed shape to emulate the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Additionally, blockouts had to be made for the “railroad bridges” to be installed later with pavers. A plain concrete base slab held down ½” from the finish elevation needed to be poured first. Once the base placed, the Bomanite Revealed was mixed on site adding the selected blue integral concrete color, a combination of 3 different colors of blue glass aggregates, and clear glass aggregate to the mix. This mixture was applied at a ½” thickness directly over the primed base concrete for a monolithic bond. Engraving of the river names completed the work.

Bomanite Revealed provides 100% exposure of the decorative aggregate with no native sands detracting from the finished appearance. The final product is a unique alternative to other decorative concrete finishes while producing a monolithic concrete slab with a low life cycle cost due to the pre-aged nature of the surface. Bomanite Revealed is suited for exterior applications—anywhere that improved wear resistance for light to moderate-duty vehicular or foot traffic combined with an architectural finish is desired. Although very challenging, the task was completed perfectly, resulting in a beautiful educational representation of the river confluence for the St. Louis hi-tech hands-on Aquarium.

Musselman & Hall Contractors, LLC were recognized for their creative solution and intricate installation of Bomanite Revealed decorative concrete with the GOLD AWARD for the Best Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Systems under 6,000 Sq. Ft project for the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station.

CoLab CoHousing Community

CoLab is an impressive 7-story podium student housing residential development with 253 apartment units that house 727 individual bedrooms and includes top-notch amenities. The 5-story residential component sits atop a 2-story partially buried parking garage creating a unique above ground level installation for outdoor amenities. Colorado Hardscapes, a Bomanite Decorative Concrete Contractor worked with Landscape Architect, Britina Designs to make the outdoor living space a stylish modern green community. Environmentally conscious, CoLab chose materials and systems to minimize waste and maximize energy.

The CoLab Student Living Housing Community, a USGBC Gold LEED project, brings the outdoors in with smartly styled study spaces, a rooftop deck and several lush outdoor gathering areas for tenants to enjoy; the pool court (Resort-Style Pool), Fire Court (Outdoor Lounge) and Water Court (Table Games) all featuring decorative concrete. During the design stage Britina Designs visited Colorado Hardscapes Showroom viewing several samples of different concrete systems and to determine the final finishes, aggregates and colors.

Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Systems Sandscape Texture was chosen for the general walkways and courtyards with an inviting eye-catching alternating band of color panels of flatwork. The Bomanite Sandscape Texture was also incorporated into the pool coping with a child safety grip and coordinating color. Bomanite Sandscape Texture utilizes specialized concrete mix designs, additives, decorative mineral aggregates, topical treatments and advanced application procedures to produce a finished product that resembles sand blasted concrete through fine “quarried stone”. Bomanite Sandscape Texture typically involves the use of Bomanite Integral Color and may incorporate specialized natural, regionally selected and qualified sands such as slag, granite, quartz or limestone.

The Bomanite Sandscape Refined Series is similar in design to conventional Sandscape, based on the exposure of fine quartz aggregates but bound in Bomanite Color Hardener. The resulting texture is known as “sugar cube finish”; the feel of the concrete mimics the texture of formed sugar cubes. Due to the use of Bomanite Color Hardener, the Bomanite Sandscape Texture Refined Series is available in a multitude of standard and custom options, including cost effective light-reflective formulations that do not require the use of white cement to reduce heat island effect. The Sandscape Refined Architectural Concrete Finish was installed around the firepit lounge area and included amber glass and crushed mirror glass for a natural reflective nighttime sheen.

The Bomanite Toppings Systems Micro-Top ST, a spray applied concrete resurfacing product, has excellent adhesion and weather resistance with the ability to withstand prolonged pedestrian and light duty vehicular traffic. Bomanite Micro-Top ST provides a tough, slip resistant water-retardant coating that substantially reduces water penetration, freeze-thaw scaling and concrete carbonation making it perfect choice for the exterior areas of this Denver Community Housing development. Colorado Hardscapes placed the Micro-Top ST on curbs, steps and walls with a custom color match to complement the surrounding finishes. Once the finish was complete the owners loved the look so much that they requested an additional application to the front foundation.

A popular growing technique, Colorado Hardscapes installed Board-formed Concrete, for the fire pit, water features and outdoor kitchen BBQ. Board-formed Concrete is a process of patterning concrete that leaves a wood grain image on the finished face of the concrete. Because concrete is extremely well-suited as a finished material in modern design, by imprinting the wood grain on the surface, it visually softens and warms concrete’s somewhat cooler appearance while still allowing concrete to express the construction technique giving a modern yet rustic organic vibe to these CoLab outdoor hangouts.

CoLab achieved LEED GOLD certification with the collaboration efforts from the owner/developer, designers, contractors, and consultants that led to points in the following categories: High Efficiency Heating and Cooling Systems; Energy Efficient Appliances; High Efficiency Hot Water Heating; Energy Efficient Lighting; Indoor Environment Quality; Innovation & Design Process; and Material and Resources. Making a LEED Gold certified community, CoLab provides the peace of mind to tenants of knowing their community was built and operates in an environmentally friendly manner with the generated benefits of energy-efficiency and cost-savings. Everyone worked together to transform a great design into reality, a stylish decorative green living community.

Colorado Hardscapes earned the Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Award Over 6,000 sq. ft Bronze Award for their outstanding and contributing decorative concrete work on the CoLab LEED Gold Co-housing Community Development

Valley Children’s Hospital

Valley Children’s Healthcare began as the vision of five civic-minded women who saw the need for a dedicated pediatric hospital in Central California. For nearly 70 years, Valley Children’s Healthcare has grown from a 42-bed hospital in 1952 to a 358-bed, nationally respected pediatric healthcare network today with more than 640 physicians and 3,500 staff. Valley Children’s delivers high-quality, comprehensive care to more than 1.3 million children in a 12-county service area and has been recognized four years in a row by U.S. News and World Report as one of the “Best Children’s Hospitals” in the nation for various specialties. Valley Children’s is the first children’s hospital west of the Rockies to receive Magnet Nursing designation, the highest nursing benchmark in the world.

As the Valley Children’s Healthcare network continues to grow and expand they recently implemented their landscaping Master Plan Phase 2 at the Valley Children’s Hospital location in Madera, California to accommodate gatherings, family events and fund raising efforts. Taking advantage of the beautiful California weather for more outdoor events, their south side building landscaping needed improvements for vehicle access for caterers, food trucks as well as emergency, freight and maintenance vehicles.

Working with Heritage Bomanite, the California Central Valley Bomanite Decorative Concrete Contractor, a design was put in place to accommodate the vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Dedicated to providing a top-notch installation for a top-rated children’s hospital was a common goal of all trades during the installation. With a strong presence in the Central Valley, the values of Valley Children’s call for a set of shared standards driven by excellence, compassion, heart, care for all, and integrity.

The Bomanite Exposed Aggregate System exterior concrete hardscape stands up to the test of time with a history in strength, durability and adds multiple design aesthetics to collaborate with plantings, shrubs and structures. Bomanite Sandscape Texture and Bomanite Revealed were chosen based on a previous specification in place for Valley Children’s smaller satellite hospitals north and south of the central valley location that were also installed by Heritage Bomanite. With its proven performance and keeping within the color theme, 21,082 Square feet of Seal Gray Bomanite Sandscape Texture and 5,899 Square feet of Bomanite Revealed with Light and Dark Blue Glass, Black Granite Aggregate and Bomanite Seal Gray Integral Color were incorporated into a new sidewalk/accessible driveway and patio entrance along with 5,555 square feet of decorative sawcuts delivering necessary control joints with designer appeal.

Heritage Bomanite installed the Pergola Amphitheater with stadium seating that will host many concerts for the children and their families. Over 13,000 square feet of natural gray broom finished concrete can be found in exterior walkways surrounding the amphitheater and the low-maintenance freshly landscaped planter and flower beds by Landscape Development Inc. Working with an event deadline, the newly finished landscape created a perfect background for the 23rd Annual Harvest Ball, a Signature Event of Valley Children’s. This elegant gala has grown to host more than 900 of the community’s most generous philanthropists each year and celebrates the life-saving mission of Valley Children’s.

Used in combination with a variety of color and staining options, Bomanite Sandscape Texture creates consistent texture and durable hardscapes. Natural stone such as granite, quartz or marble along with unique aggregates such as recycled glass or porcelain are common aggregates of choice for Bomanite Revealed installations. The natural non-skid properties and abrasion resistant aggregates make both Bomanite Revealed and Bomanite Sandscape Texture the perfect choice for entries, municipal or public works projects, hospitals, educational facilities, museums, pool decks, plazas and more. The Bomanite Decorative Concrete Exposed Aggregate Systems offer a variety of modernized mixes and an unlimited palette of colors, textures and aggregate options to choose from, providing cost-effective solutions that are more durable than ever and reveal just how brilliant concrete can be while delivering that little bit of sparkle to any festivity.

Jose Campos, Field Engineer for Quiring General, the GC for this project had this to say about Heritage Bomanite’s workmanship “On behalf of Quiring General, we would like to thank Heritage Bomanite for their outstanding contribution to the Valley Children’s Healthcare Landscape Master Plan Phase II project in Madera, CA. We appreciate your team’s persistence, commitment, and focus to help deliver a high-quality project on schedule and within the client’s budget.”

Heritage Bomanite exemplified Valley Children’s values of excellence and integrity earning them the Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Project Over 6,000 Sq. ft Silver Award. With their outstanding workmanship they have been asked to continue with Phase III of the Valley Children’s Healthcare Landscape Master Plan, providing additional beautiful Bomanite Decorative Concrete.

Flight at Tustin Legacy

Flight at Tustin Legacy, previously home to the Naval-Lighter-Than-Air-Station and the Marine Corps Helicopter Base, has been considered a first of a kind office development, that is the next generation of working living playing communities. The City of Tustin and Lincoln Property Company laid out a massive future plan to keep with the flight history, innovation in design, productivity and entrepreneurship. From vast commercial farming of orange groves in the 1900’s, to the military’s construction by hand of two massive blimp hangars that are the largest wood structures in the world, Flight aims to carry on this legacy of excellence of ingenuity.

This historical site comprising of 18 acres is adjacent to the 26-acre Tustin Legacy Park, providing inspirational design elements and the new office campus clientele with additional outdoor space and walking trails. The project’s first phase was completed with a total of about 470,000 square feet, that includes eight office buildings, four level parking structure, a food hall and an event conference center.

Bomanite Licensee, Bomel Construction has been designing and building parking structures, office buildings, hotels, stadiums, bridges and virtually any kind of concrete structure for over 40 years. Widely regarded as the dean of parking structure construction in the West, Bomel was the design-build general contractor for the 1,169-stall parking structure, self-performing all structural concrete. Bomel also acted as the subcontractor for the structural concrete, formwork, rebar and metal decks for the buildings. Additionally, Bomel’s Architectural and Site Concrete Division completed the exterior tenant access points while working with Rios Clementi Hale Studios, the mulit-disciplinary award-winning global design firm responsible for the urban planning, architecture, interior public spaces, and landscape architecture for this first phase.

Each building is designed with adaptable, tall, uninterrupted and light-filled spaces that offer tenants the ability to customize the building interiors according to their business needs. The larger hangar-like structures feature a unique design idea. Rather than concentrating the lobbies, elevators, stairs and services at the center of the building as most commonly seen in traditional office parks, Rios Clementi Hale Studios positioned them at the perimeter of the spaces to produce more usable interior space while maximizing the indoor/outdoor lifestyle. Sliding and roll-up doors open to balconies and terraces that overlook an array of outdoor rooms, parks, and amenities with exterior stairs that provide direct access to plazas which act as outdoor lobbies and extensions of the workplace. The layout cements the design firm’s approach to creating pedestrian-friendly access throughout the project.

With over 101,750 square feet of decorative concrete, Bomel Construction installed all of the exterior hardscapes along with seatwalls, bleacher, stairs, outdoor kitchen, fire hearths and even an outdoor BBQ with a Polished concrete countertop. The majority of the walking paths, pedestrian sidewalks, courtyards use the Bomanite Revealed Exposed Aggregate System. With a project this vast, Bomanite Revealed is the product of choice for projects requiring a highly decorative and durable finish. Bomanite Revealed is an engineered concrete with sustainable finishing options that incorporate a unique binder and color blending process with specialty aggregates. Natural stone such as granite, quartz or marble along with unique aggregates such as recycled glass or porcelain are common aggregates of choice. A dark gray Bomanite Integral color with natural gray washed finishes and Ivory botticino aggregates were used to transform the open space into active pedestrian landscapes that promote social interaction and alternative spaces for work and collaboration. The overall design uses active landscape strategies including exterior amenities to diversify the outdoor workplace experience.

The natural non-skid properties and abrasion resistant aggregates result in a robust concrete with high-strength performance that has an excellent life cycle with reduced maintenance requirements. The Flight at Tustin Legacy’s installation of Bomanite Revealed for the decorative concrete landscapes is the perfect architectural exterior allocation for the working living playing lifestyle.

El Paso Zoo Chihuahuan Desert Exhibit

The El Paso Zoo is a 35-acre facility that houses animals representing over 220 species, including critically endangered species. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), the El Paso Zoo celebrates the value of animals and natural resources and creates opportunities for people to rediscover their connection to nature. The Chihuahuan Desert Exhibit showcases North America’s most diverse desert that encompasses the El Paso and Northern Mexico regions. The exhibit tells the story of the Chihuahuan Desert giving visitors the opportunity to experience not only the land, but the animals that surround them every day. Illustrating the habitat of an El Paso Texas Backyard, El Paso Zoo director Steve Marshall states “Our central goal with the new Chihuahuan Desert Exhibit is to inspire our visitors to go explore these biomes in our nearby, fantastic National and State Parks and even their own backyards – where they can make a personal, incredible impact on conservation.”

PGAV Destinations, a global attraction and exhibit design firm, worked on this mega million-dollar project that encompasses just 2.3 acres. “One of the greatest challenges of El Paso’s new exhibit space is incorporating an expansive set of animals into just over two acres, while ensuring that it is beautiful, tells a rich and cohesive story, and is healthy for the animals,” said John Kemper, vice president PGAV Destinations. “By overcoming that challenge, we intend to instill wonder in guests at the vast biodiversity in their own backyards and inspire them to explore the nearby wilderness and take action in conservation.”

With plans in place and everyone working towards the same design goals, Bomanite Artistic Concrete & Pools worked with PGAV Destinations and the El Paso Zoo on the decorative concrete surfaces that consisted of three different styles of implementation. To achieve the desert landscape with the natural ecosystem of plants and animals, natural stone patterns and aggregates were chosen. As Visitors enter the exhibit they come through a recreated arroyo (a dry riverbed, which in nature, floods with water during times of heavy rain), The Bomacron Garden Stone pattern with a natural English slate texture consists of varying sizes of stones that range from ½” x 1” up to 15” x 21” providing a realistic approach to replicating the desert rock riverbed landscape of boulders down to small pebbles. A total of 15,000 square feet of imprinted concrete pattern was installed using Bomanite Sand Integral Color for the base along with varying Bomanite Color Hardeners of Autumn Brown and Forrest Brown. A Bomanite Clear Sealer was applied for future protection from the outdoor elements.

Visitors are greeted with a Mexican Grey Wolf sculpture by artist Andy Dufford. The exhibit design was carefully composed to preserve a large number of existing mature trees; which, along with ample new shade structures, make the area comfortable and inviting while maintaining sustainability goals. An essential part of the overall geography and lifelike scene was an implemented 45’ mountain, inspired by the nearby Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site. To reveal the power and dangers of storms in the nearby deserts, the mountain recirculates 10,000 gallons of water every five minutes to simulate a flash flood. The central habitat of the mountain range is home to jaguars and mountain lions, which allows the zoo to be able to rotate animals through the exhibits and be visible from all sides. A mesh barrier separates the big cats from habitats at the base of the mountain where numerous herbivores graze among native plants, all seemingly inhabiting the same exhibit.

An additional feature of walking paths invite visitors to pass beneath two abandoned bridges that allow jaguars to cross between the mountain and their individual exhibit spaces. The native desert trail of 850 sq.ft. was composed of a Natural Exposed Aggregate Concrete Finish that winds its way in and out of areas and directs visitors also to covered viewing bridge decks. The dilapidated designed bridges provide shade and viewing areas of many other animals such as the Harris Hawk, Thick-billed Parrot, Ocelot and the White Nose Coati. The Bomacron 6” Random Boardwalk pattern was used with Autumn Brown Color Hardener and a Walnut Brown Bomanite Release Agent. To give it that worn aged look accents in Forest Brown were added and then the 717 sq. ft. of textured and imprinted concrete was given a final seal.

Bomanite Imprint Systems is a cast-in-place concrete that adds a distinctive architectural touch to any project, that also incorporates durability to stand up to the toughest traffic loads and environmental conditions. You can choose from many natural textures including slate, granite, limestone, sandstone, cobblestone, used brick and wood to upgrade plain concrete or asphalt, or alternatively reduce the cost and maintenance of natural paving materials and simulate real world habitats. To visit the zoo and view the animals virtually visit http://www.elpasozoo.org/zoo-cameras

AWARDS: Bomanite Artistic Concrete received the Best Bomanite Imprint Systems 2019 Silver Award for their creative native habitat work on the El Paso Chihuahuan Desert Exhibit

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